Patents by Inventor William T. DeGroff

William T. DeGroff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Turbofan emergency generator
    Patent number: 7841163
    Abstract: A turbine engine emergency power system includes low and high pressure spools, the lower pressure spool including a low pressure compressor. A turbofan is coupled to the low pressure spool. The turbofan drives the low pressure spool in a windmill condition in which the low pressure turbine fails to provide rotational drive to the turbofan. A generator is rotationally driven by the low pressure spool in the windmill condition. A gear train is used to increase the speed of the generator in one example. In one example embodiment, a centrifugal clutch is used to selectively decouple the generator from the low pressure spool at a predetermined engine speed, which corresponds to normal operating speeds when the turbine engine is under power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignees: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Richard C. Welch, Gerard H. Bueche, William T. DeGroff, Jose Albero, Jerzy Makuszewski
  • Turbofan emergency generator
    Publication number: 20080110151
    Abstract: A turbine engine emergency power system includes low and high pressure spools, the lower pressure spool including a low pressure compressor. A turbofan is coupled to the low pressure spool. The turbofan drives the low pressure spool in a windmill condition in which the low pressure turbine fails to provide rotational drive to the turbofan. A generator is rotationally driven by the low pressure spool in the windmill condition. A gear train is used to increase the speed of the generator in one example. In one example embodiment, a centrifugal clutch is used to selectively decouple the generator from the low pressure spool at a predetermined engine speed, which corresponds to normal operating speeds when the turbine engine is under power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Richard C. Welch, Gerard H. Bueche, William T. DeGroff, Jose Albero, Jerzy Makuszewski
  • RAM air turbine over-speed protector using redundant yoke plate linear bearings
    Patent number: 7074010
    Abstract: An improved ram air turbine for generating emergency aeronautical supplemental power with a plurality of concentric or nested linear bearings for supporting a speed governor yoke plate on a speed governor shaft comprising a movable sleeve that supports the yoke plate and rides on the governor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: William T. DeGroff, Harry R. Carter, Jr.